Pubdate: Fri, 22 Sep 2017
Source: Journal News, The (NY)
Copyright: 2017 The Gannett Company, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.lohud.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1205
Author: Natasha Vaughn

WHO WANTS TO GROW NY HEMP?

ALBANY -- New York is looking for industrial hemp growers.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Thursday that an application period is
open to participate in the state's Industrial Hemp Agricultural
Research Pilot Program.

The program is open to researchers, farmers and businesses who wish to
research, grow, manufacture and produce industrial hemp in New York.

"By expanding industrial hemp research, we are opening the doors to
innovative ideas that could provide a major boost to our farms and
communities, creating new jobs, and laying the foundation for future
economic growth," Cuomo said in a statement.

New York has passed a series of laws in recent years to promote and
expand the industrial hemp industry, particularly in the Southern Tier
and Catskills.

The pilot program was started in 2015, and earlier this year the cap
on the number of participants in the program was lifted.

Currently, there are more than 20 licensed partners in the pilot
program, leading to rapid growth in the amount of farmland used for
industrial hemp production.

New York also created a $5 million industrial hemp processing grant
program in July that can provide grants up to $500,000 to qualified
applicants to help cover costs related to hemp production.

Industrial hemp can be used to make more than 25,000 different
products including paper, clothing, construction materials and biofuels.

Applications to join the program will be accepted until Nov. 22.
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MAP posted-by: Matt